The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-03-16
DIGGLES AND THE ALLIGATOR.
BY JOEL SLOPER.

Dggles and Folsby are brothers in law
who live in the same brown stone front up
on Madison avenue, in New York, and are
rather fond of playing practical Jokes on
each other. Folsby rather got the best of
the fun last week. Having seen a toy
alligator which automatically ran around on
top of q table, Folsby conceived the idea
of having a stuffed specimen of the
saurian family rugged with a strong coiled
spring and wheels, so that, being wound
up, it would rush around a room in circle
with force enough sufficient to upset chairs
in its path.
When it was all ready Folsby had it
quietly conveyed into the house one night
through the back gate, and when he heard
Diggles snore in the next room he pro-
ceeded to wind mp the alligator and have q
little fun.
Diggles and Mrs. Diggles usually slept
with the door of their room unlocked
They also left tho gas burning low nights,
both of which customs facilitated the fun
which Folsby proposed. So, with the stuffed
saurian wound up TO run about ten min
utes, he carried it in his arms to Diggles'
room, and, quietly pushing open the door,
put the alligator on the floor; and it
seemed to know just what was expected of
it, Judging from the way it went round
that room and upset chairs and other light
furniture.
OF course Diggles and Mrs. Diggles
awoke. That is what Folsby expected of
them.
mercy on u.s." screamed Mrs. Diggles.
What is it,"
"Get out" yelled Diggles, waking up
and jumping out OF bed gust as the alliga-
tor came rushing over his big toe.
"Great heavens, Marian, it's an alligator"
he shouted, as he could see its outlines in
the dim gas light and he gave jump on
the bed which broke through the Stats and
landed both him and Mis-. Diggles on the
solid floor. IL will never be known TO
history which of the two climbed up first
on the tall, ornamental headboard of the
bedstead, but Folsby thinks he recognized
the big, staring eyes of Diggles up there
about one-third of second before he
could see those of Mrs. ID. at the same
elevation.
Diggles then began TO call for Folsby,
who, leaving his post of observation at the
crack of the door, silently glided no stairs
and then noisily came numbering down.
whats the matter, Diggles?" asked
Folsby.
There's an alligator in the room. Look
out for it," yelled Diggles from his secure
position astride the headboard.
"A norma nlllgator! screamed MIS-. DlB-
giles. nesting closer to Diggles up near the
ceiling.
The automatic saurian had stuck its nose
against the bureau, from which position it
could not move, and Folsby, taking
Diegles' ivory handled cane, pulled its
nose clear of the obstruction and rushed
out of the room, leaving Diggles and Mrs.
ID. to their fate, as it again began n wild
and hungry race around the room. OF
course. Diggles knew it was after him, and
Mrs. Diggles declared that its horrid eyes
were looking right at hers.
IL guess I'll take it upstairs now" said
Folsby, as he tucked it under his arm and
walked out, leaving Diggles speechless for
few moments; and then for the remain
der of the night he walked the hall floor in
front of Folsby's room with his breech-
loading shotgun, waiting to get q pop at
Folsby.